In the late 1990s to early 2000s, the Maryland Department of Transportation had a goal of providing service between College Park and Bethesda.

[4] Originally, the plan between College Park and Bethesda was to have an Bus rapid transit opposed to a light rail.

[citation needed] The J4 provides extra service for the J1 and J2 along East West Highway and C2, C4 along University Boulevard.

The J4 becomes a local route between University Of Maryland and College Park station serving all stops.

[6] This brings faster service on the J4, as the MetroExtra conversion is part of a collaboration between the MTA and WMATA.

[13] On September 26, 2020, WMATA proposed to eliminate all route J4 service due to low federal funding.